|
CCA Mourns Passing of Walter Fondren
The conservation community lost one
of its true visionaries
with the passing
of Coastal Conservation Association founder Walter W. Fondren III early
this year. A passionate conservationist, avid hunter and skilled
fisherman, Fondren was a driving force in the grassroots movement to save
red drum and speckled trout populations along the Texas coast in the late
1970s, and was one of the first to fully grasp the potential of anglers as
stewards of marine resources with the creation of the Gulf Coast
Conservation Association (now CCA).
“Walter was one of those unique individuals
who saw the whole chessboard,” said Venable Proctor, chairman of CCA.
“When he saw a problem with fisheries on the Texas coast, he helped build
a national organization to safeguard those resources for generations to
come. He grew up hunting and fishing, and fully understood that it is the
responsibility of all who enjoy such privileges to leave things better
than they found them. He lived his entire life by that principle and
infused it into every aspect of CCA.”
As chairman of CCA, he helped guide the
organization’s growth into a national presence with 17 state chapters and
almost 100,000 members on all three coasts. He served on the Gulf of
Mexico Fishery Management Council as a member from 1982 through 1992; was
Council Chairman from 1989 to 1990; and also served on the Billfish
Advisory Committee since 1994. He received the Harvey Weil
Sportsman/Conservationist Award in 2000 and the prestigious Charles H.
Lyles Award in 2001 from the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission in
recognition of a lifetime of exceptional contributions on behalf of marine
resources.
“Walter was the right man at the right time
to organize anglers to fight for conservation,” said Bob Hayes, CCA’s
long-time general counsel. “He really helped shape the ethic of
responsibility and stewardship in recreational angling at a time when
everyone knew there were problems, but no one was sure how to attack them.
Walter brought together a diverse group of individuals in a common cause,
without a care for recognition as long as the job was done. We have lost
one of the true leaders of saltwater angling, and a great friend, too.”
Fondren was inducted into the International
Game Fish Association Hall of Fame in 2004 and served as an IGFA trustee
for many years. In 2005, he was named one of the 50 legends of fishing by
Field & Stream magazine and he was the first recipient of the CCA's
Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.
“He was a remarkable person, as comfortable
meeting the president of the United States as he was sight-casting to
redfish with his grandkids,” said Patrick Murray, president of CCA. “From
every local chapter committee to the national board of directors, we will
ensure that his remarkable legacy lives on.” 
EDF raises stakes in
catch share lawsuit
Environmental Defense Fund intervenes to thwart CCA
catch share lawsuit
Seeking to defend a
controversial catch share program for Gulf grouper, the Environmental
Defense Fund has been allowed to intervene in a lawsuit filed by Coastal
Conservation Association in federal district court that challenges the
adoption and implementation of Amendment 29 to the Gulf of Mexico Reef
Fish Management Plan.
“This was not wholly unexpected. After all,
EDF has made a considerable investment in its efforts to enact catch share
programs in fisheries throughout America so this lawsuit is clearly a
threat to their program,” said Chester Brewer, chairman of the CCA
National Government Relations Committee. “The intervention of EDF simply
clarifies what is at stake for recreational fishermen, not just in the
Gulf of Mexico, but everywhere in the country.”
See Full Press Release
More information on Catch Shares
 
ASMFC takes wrong turn on
striped bass
After hearing a litany
of significant concerns about the health of the striped bass population
presented by its own Technical Committee and by law enforcement personnel,
the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Striped Bass
Management Board did the last thing anyone expected at its meeting in
February - directing staff to draft an addendum to the management plan
which would increase the coastal commercial striped bass harvest.
The stunning turn of events left
conservationists shocked at the Board’s apparent disregard for strong
evidence pointing to numerous problems with the Atlantic striped bass
population. Unlike the 1970s when rampant overfishing was the primary
cause of the stock’s crash, the current picture painted by scientists and
officers is all the more bleak because of the wide variety of factors that
are negatively impacting striped bass.
“This is just the latest indication that the
ASMFC has lost its way as an agency committed to proper resource
management,” said Charles Witek, chairman of CCA’s Atlantic Fisheries
Committee. “As bad off as the stock was in the late ‘70s, the fix was
rather straight-forward. What we are looking at today could be much more
difficult to reverse. The very last thing anyone needs to discuss during
this time of uncertainty is increasing commercial harvest.”
See Full Press Release
See more Atlantic fisheries news
Council action on Gulf red snapper
signals need for reallocation
Recreational anglers were cheered earlier this year by news
that after decades of federal management, culminating with a two-fish bag
limit and a 74-day season in 2009, scientists suddenly announced that the
Gulf red snapper stock is no longer undergoing overfishing, which is a
significant step on the road to recovery.
However, the reward for decades of sacrifice
announced at the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting in
February is a good news/bad news scenario for recreational anglers who
will see their quota increase to about 3.4 million pounds in 2010, from
2.5 million pounds in 2009, but will also likely see their season shrink
to the fewest number of days ever - a projected 54 days in 2010.
“Thanks to a combination of factors,
including significant bycatch reduction measures for the shrimp fleet, the
stock is improving,” said Dr. Russell Nelson, CCA Gulf Fisheries
consultant. “But clearly the Council now needs to take into account the
problems caused by the increasing average size of the fish being caught
and take a long overdue look at reallocation.”
See Full Press Release
See more Gulf fisheries news
Send comments to NMFS on
2010 red snapper quotas and season
Enter Keyword: 0648–AY57
Comment are due by close of business April 14, 2010
Legislation
Seeks to Protect Boaters and Anglers from E15
National Marine Manufacturers Association Calls for Action
As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues to move forward with
a possible approval of E15 for sale, those with boats and other
gasoline-powered engines need to be aware of the impact of the hasty,
ill-advised introduction of this incompatible fuel in the marketplace.
Marine and other small gasoline-powered engines are not designed,
calibrated, certified or warranted to run on more than E10. Higher
concentrations of ethanol in fuel pose serious problems, including
performance and engine durability concerns, increased emissions, fuel tank
corrosion, and safety issues. The U.S. Coast Guard has urged EPA not to
allow the sale of E15 given many of these concerns.
See more information on this issue from NMMA.
|
Building
Conservation:
CCA's Commitment to Marine
Habitat
|
 CCA
Alabama Derelict crab traps are a boating danger and an
eyesore along the shallows of Mobile Bay, and they are perpetual
killing machines. Crabs enter the abandoned trap and die. Small
fish and crabs feed on the decaying crabs. More crabs are
attracted, and the cycle goes on and on. CCA Alabama volunteers
took to the shallow flats in March to retrieve and destroy
abandoned traps. Partnering with Mobile County Wildlife
Conservation Association and the Alabama Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources, the crew met on the Causeway
for a morning of in-the-mud fun. The project is conducted every
two years, and it is a favorite activity for CCA Alabama members.
****
CCA Florida
Oyster reefs provide habitat and refuge for a variety of wildlife,
including shrimp, blue crab, redfish, snook and sea trout. To
date, more 300 species have been identified as depending, either
directly or indirectly, on oyster reefs. CCA Florida’s Orlando
Chapter is committed to creating healthy oyster reefs and has been
making oyster mats to support the effort. “This is a great project
for CCA to be involved in. It has a significant, positive impact
on our fisheries and the benefit is right here in our own
backyard, where many of us prefer to fish,” said Alan Byrd, CCA
Orlando Chapter president.
****
CCA Georgia
The CCA Georgia Athens Chapter
held an event for members and anyone interested in oyster
restoration co-hosted by MAREX Director Dr. Randal L. Walker. As
presented in their efforts and on the web, UGA-MAREX coordinates a
community-based oyster restoration project called GEORGIA
(Generating Enhanced Oyster Reefs in Georgia’s Inshore Areas). The
program recycles oyster shell to create new oyster reefs and
enhances stewardship and public awareness of the importance of
oyster reef habitat along the Georgia coast. Intertidal oysters
are described as “keystone” species as they play a critical role
in maintaining a healthy coastal ecosystem. Georgia’s oyster
populations were once immense; however, overfishing, habitat
degradation, and disease have considerably impacted these
estuarine communities.
****
 CCA
Louisiana A large contingent of state
and parish officials joined with CCA Louisiana volunteers March 26
to break ground on a new fishing pavilion at Cypremort Point. The
facility – to be named “The Pavilion at Quintana Landing” – was
originally the vision of the Sugar Chapter, whose members worked
with State Reps. Simone Champagne and Sam Jones, as well as St.
Mary and Iberia parish officials, to make it a reality.
“This project has been a long time
in the making, and it is a much-needed addition to the boat
landing,” said Corry Landry, chapter president. “Our volunteers,
led by David Clement and Blake Fourquier, are proud to have a part
in it, and we are so thankful to our friends in state and local
government who are making it possible.”
“This will be a great addition to
our facility here at Quintana, and it is long overdue,” said St.
Mary Parish President Don Naquin. “We are so thankful to CCA for
stepping up to the plate.”
****
CCA Oregon
The Rogue Valley Chapter has
partnered with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to help
wild steelhead and salmon reach the upper reaches of Larson creek
by manually bypassing them around a concrete culvert that blocks
their passage. The upper portion of the creek is important rearing
habitat for juvenile steelhead and Coho –some ESA listed – during
winter freshets. Thanks to the work by CCA volunteers, fish can
now reach this critical habitat. Similar projects are under
consideration for two other area streams.
****
 CCA
Texas Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD)
recently completed Phase I of a 25-acre marsh restoration project
within the Goose Island State Park in Rockport, Texas. CCA Texas
Aransas Bay Chapter President Karen Wiatrek, and CCA Texas
Assistant Director John Blaha recently surveyed the completion of
Phase I work with TPWD officials and Charles Belaire of Belaire
Environmental. After surveying the site, Wiatrek handed Belaire a
$25,000 check from the CCA Texas Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow
program for the planting of 10,000 marsh plants that finished out
the 12 acres as part of Phase I. Phase II construction is planned
to begin this summer and will result in the restoration of 25
acres of lost wetlands and marsh along the Aransas Bay shoreline.
****
 CCA
Washington Derelict gill nets, or “ghost nets” are
a well-documented problem in the Puget Sound, but this issue
receives much less attention in our fresh water rivers. That’s
starting to change. A group of CCA Washington members documented
62 derelict ghost nets in the Nooksack River, an important salmon
and steelhead stream with imperiled fish runs. The nets, littering
the waterway and shoreline, cause untold damage to salmon,
steelhead and other marine life. Net locations and photos were
provided to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department along with
a request to clean up the gear. Unfortunately, gill netting is
still legal on the Nooksack River during limited seasons.
For a complete listing of CCA
habitat projects, click
HERE.
|
|
|
CCA Continues Advocacy for Harvest
Reform, Recovery of Oregon’s Salmon Runs
The following is a statement from Dave
Schamp, Chairman of
Coastal Conservation Association’s Oregon Board of Directors and a
chief petitioner for the Protect Our Salmon Act (POSA), in response to
changes made by the Oregon Attorney General’s Office to the ballot
title for the Act.
“The changes
made by the Attorney General’s office do not reflect the intent of the
initiative, which is to end the non-selective over-harvest of Oregon's
native fish runs while maintaining a healthy commercial salmon fishing
industry. The objective is to transition to commercial gear capable of
selectively harvesting abundant hatchery fish and allowing for the
release of wild fish.”
“We are
disappointed with the changes that were made by the Attorney General’s
office. The over-harvest of Oregon’s native salmon runs has been
ignored far too long by many leaders in Oregon. Since launching POSA
it has become very clear that when the public understands the horrific
and wasteful toll that gillnets take on various forms of marine life —
including endangered fish stocks — and that a better method of harvest
exits, reform is strongly supported. CCA Oregon membership has
increased sharply since launching POSA, providing another indication
of the commitment to these needed reforms.”
“Banning the
use of gill nets and tangle nets and using selective gear that allows
for the release of wild fish is an effective, achievable way to create
a sustainable commercial and recreational fishery for the citizens of
Oregon. It provides a greater return on the investment that taxpayers
have contributed to salmon recovery, and is consistent with Oregon’s
commitment to the responsible and sustainable use of the state’s
natural resources. Now more than ever, CCA members remain committed to
advancing these vital reform efforts, and we intend to amend and
re-file the ballot initiative to address the interpretation of the
Attorney General’s office.”
More information on fisheries issues in the
Pacific Northwest |
International
Community Fails Bluefin Tuna
Meeting during
March in Doha, Qatar, the members nations of the Convention on the
International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) defeated an attempt by
Monaco, the United States, Norway, the European Union (EU) and other
nations to prohibit international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna, an
extremely valuable sushi ingredient.
A listing by CITES would
have prohibited all international trade (i.e. exports to Japan) while
allowing recreational and commercial harvest in national waters. Heavy
pressure from Japan overcame the arguments of most international
conservation organizations and scientists from the U.S and EU that the
eastern Atlantic stock of bluefin is extremely overfished and potentially
facing a collapse in the face of mismanagement by the International
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Extreme
overfishing and illegal harvest has recently exceeded even the generous
annual quotas set by ICCAT (A Passing of Giants, July/August 2008
TIDE).
The Japanese delegation
contended that the present management system was working and could
adequately manage a recovery of the stock. At a CITES meeting dominated by
economic interests, polar bears and several threatened shark species were
also denied new protection from trade.
Stock declines will
continue
Bluefin tuna in the
eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean have declined in excess of 80 percent
over the past 20 years and spawning potential in the Mediterranean is
severely threatened. Recent scientific investigations have revealed that
bluefin catches off the U.S. now consist of more than 50 percent of fish
from the eastern Atlantic stock. The western stock, which spawns only in
the Gulf of Mexico, was heavily fished by purse seines targeting juveniles
for canneries 40 years ago, and although constrained by severe annual
quotas for 20 years, shows no real sign of recovery to pre-1980 levels.
The revealed linkage
between east and west has created a sense of alarm for U.S. anglers who
enjoy pursuing these giant predators that thrilled the likes of Ernest
Hemingway, Zane Gray and others during the 1950s and 1960s. Without a
recovery of the rapidly disappearing eastern stock, U.S. anglers face a
bleak future. The current regulations put in place by ICCAT last November
will not increase the spawning stock in the east. Given past history,
ICCAT is quite likely to react to the CITES vote by again liberalizing
future catch restraints. The future for bluefin across the entire Atlantic
seems dire.
Can we save the
western Atlantic stock?
U.S. anglers may face
future threats to fishing opportunities for bluefin. Continued declines in
the east will reduce the flow of eastern fish to our waters. The failure
to secure a CTIES listing this year may spur some marine conservation
organizations to pursue more drastic measures here in the U.S. An attempt
to list bluefin under the Endangered Species Act is not to be dismissed.
Strong unilateral action by the U.S. to protect the remaining western
spawning stock in the Gulf of Mexico has become an absolute necessity.
While no targeted
fishing for bluefin is allowed in the Gulf, there is a substantial take
and allowed bycatch retention in the Gulf yellowfin tuna longline fishery.
This gear also takes large numbers of billfish, sharks and sea turtles.
The U.S. can no longer allow the loss of our dwindling spawning stock in
the Gulf. The Highly Migratory Species Office of our National Marine
Fisheries Service must immediately take action to shut down the Gulf
pelagic longline fishery and protect what we can only hope is not the last
of the western giant tuna.
Dr. Russell Nelson is CCA’s Gulf of Mexico Fishery Consultant, a member of
the U.S. Advisory Committee to the International Commission for
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, Chief Scientist for The Billfish
Foundation, and a 20-year veteran of marine fisheries conservation,
management and research.
See more
information on Bluefin Tuna |
